Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, August 16, 1866

In this letter from August 16, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the heat and lack of rainfall. Reed notes that no rain has fallen in Omaha for more than six weeks. He also mentions an upcoming party for Lieutenant General Sherman in which Reed has been invited to attend.

Omaha, NE
August 16, 1866

We are nearly burned up with the heat and chocked with the dust. No rain since the first of July. Days burning hot but the nights cool and comfortable.

Lieut. General Sherman is here with his staff bound for the mountains. I shall send them out over the road Saturday on a special train. Have to go myself three hundred miles up the country and then north among the sand hills where we have a large force cutting ties and timbers from the red cedars that abound in that country. Mrs. McCormick gives a party for General Sherman and staff this evening. Of course I am invited.